Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Thursday, 10 November 2022

BBC News

• First Bus: No confidence vote against under fire operator defeatedA motion of no confidence in an under-fire bus operator was defeated despite heavy criticism of its performance.
• Large electric aircraft could fly Scottish lifeline routesThe potential of using Airlanders, described as part-plane-part-airship, is being examined.

Financial Times

• Electric truck maker Rivian warns supply chain problems will persistChief executive says there has been an improvement in how it sources critical parts

The Guardian

• Latest London Underground strike brings tube network to a haltMillions of commuters affected as RMT and Unite stage 24-hour stoppage in dispute over jobs and pensions. London Underground staff in the RMT and Unite unions have gone on a 24-hour strike, halting the tube and disrupting travel for millions of commuters in the capital on Thursday.Passengers have been urged to avoid the tube and check before they travel due to the latest strike in a long-running dispute over jobs and pensions.

The Scotsman

• Scottish bus and rail giant FirstGroup 'resilient' in face of mounting challengesFirstGroup, the Scottish transport heavyweight, said it was delivering a “resilient” performance in the face of a challenging political, economic and industrial relations environment.

Times Online

• Journalist’s final act exposes root of ferry scandal. [subscription]Ian Jack’s verdict on the loss of political integrity and industry skills should be essential reading, especially for Nicola Sturgeon
• Avanti in line for taxpayer cash after timetable chaos. [subscription]Avanti has been awarded a taxpayer-funded payout for performance despite the troubled train operator coming under pressure for poor service.

Network Rail

• First wires installed to power faster, greener trains in Greater ManchesterElectric wires that will power faster, cleaner, and more reliable trains between Manchester and Stalybridge were installed over the weekend as part of the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade.

Birmingham Mail

• National Express bosses say 'sorry, please bear with us' as office staff drafted to drive busesNational Express office workers have been drafted in to drive buses to help keep services moving amid a staffing crisis. Passengers across multiple areas have levelled complaints for months at the firm over delays and cancelled services.

Bristol Live

• Bristol Clean Air Zone test 'caught' thousands of drivers who will soon have to pay to enter cityIf everyone who got a letter last week had to pay, it could bring half a million pounds a week to the council
• Clean Air Zone and underground metro will make cycling safer claim council chiefsThousands petitioned the council to make cycling safer in Bristol forcing a debate in City Hall

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Llandudno's Great Orme tramway tourist attraction set to get major upgrade Conwy Council is seeking permission for alterations to Victoria Station which will cost cost around £800-900K

Nation. Cymru

• New £900,000 tram station could soon be built at Welsh seaside townA Welsh seaside town could soon have a new tram station at a cost approaching £1m. 

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• First new Metro train just a month away from arriving in the North East – but passengers will have to waitThe first of the £362m fleet will soon make a journey across Europe to reach the UK, but Metro passengers will not see it in service here until autumn next year

Wales Online

• First Cymru bus services trialling new 'tap on tap off' scheme to lower prices in BridgendAn 'innovative' new scheme designed to lower bus fares will be trialled on a number of services across Bridgend county borough, with the aim of making fares easier and more flexible.

Chester Standard

• Merseyrail users urges operator to re-introduce Chester Line stopsMERSEYRAIL travellers are urging the operator to re-introduce the Green Lane and Bromborough Rake stops on the Chester Line after they were cut back earlier this year.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Councillor concerned over Stagecoach temporarily closing Peterborough bus route for dayStagecoach said it’s still serving the Manor Drive estate “for the time being”.

Other Regional Press

• West Yorkshire's mass transit scheme consultation could see trams or light rail stops in Queensbury, Ovenden and BrighouseA MASS transit system for West Yorkshire would eventually include stops in communities like Queensbury, Ovenden and Illingworth – as well as major town and city centres.
• Zonal ticketing systems could end ’wasteful’ local bus servicesCuts to bus services, wasteful bidding processes and inadequate transport planning is hindering public transport services in towns and cities outside London, a report has found.
• Better bus links around Telford promised with first changes due by ChristmasRural areas of Telford and Wrekin will be better-served by buses under new transport plans that could be rolled out as soon as Christmas, council bosses say.
• Why three Greater Manchester areas still have no Metrolink trams - and what’s being done about itThere is still nothing concrete in transport plans as to whether the three boroughs bereft of a tram service - Wigan, Bolton and Stockport - will get one.
• Council’s new Transport Strategy to help create a cleaner, greener, safer and healthier boroughThe Council’s new Transport Strategy has been approved by Cabinet, following six weeks of consultation with Royal Greenwich residents.
• Strategy launched to make Cumbrian public transport more accessibleA public consultation on making public transport more accessible and inclusive is underway.

New Civil Engineer

• Watch: Crossrail’s lessons for future major infrastructure projectsIn this session, NCE editor Claire Smith speaks to former Crossrail chief executive Mark Wild about lessons from the project.
• Autumn budget preview: Infrastructure that hangs in the balanceA week today, on 17 November, the government will present its delayed autumn budget, with prime minister Rishi Sunak and chancellor Jeremy Hunt set to outline plans to recover the country’s £60bn black hole – and many large infrastructure projects could be facing the chop.
• Luton Airport owner delays £1.5bn expansion plansThe owner of Luton Airport has delayed the submission of its £1.5bn expansion plans.

Rail Technology Magazine

• TfN champions social inclusivity via Transport Strategy public consultationTransport for the North (TfN) is currently consulting on the Socially Inclusive Transport Strategy (SITS), which provides a strong evidence-based policy agenda that strives to achieve the goal of an equal effective, and inclusive transport system that provides opportunities across the North.

Other News Sources

• Inadequate planning and funding is hindering the quality of public transportThe House of Lords Built Environment Committee has spent the past nine months looking at how public transport in towns and cities outside London can be improved.